The UK issues warning for LGBT travelers to the USA

The UK government has updated foreign travel advice warning British citizens about risks visiting America's south thanks to North Carolina and Mississippi's draconian anti LGBT laws.

The update issued by the UK Foreign Office on its website under the heading of "local laws and customs," highlights potential problems for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) people.

"The U.S. is an extremely diverse society and attitudes towards LGBT people differ hugely across the country," it says. "LGBT travelers may be affected by legislation passed recently in the states of North Carolina and Mississippi."

The warning comes just ahead of President Obama and Michelle Obama's visit to the UK to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday.

The U.S. is now one of a number of countries and territories about which the UK Foreign Office offers advice to LGBT travelers.

In its general advice, it states that attitudes around the world "can be very different to those of the UK," but travelers are unlikely to have any problems if they prepare well and research their destination before they go.